Are you ready to explore who you are as a child of God? Try our life lesson “Becoming a Woman of Purpose”

“But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.”

But the new Pharaoh said to his people: “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we” (Exodus 1:7 & 9, NKJV).

How interesting, Pharaoh noticed that the Israelites were MORE and MIGHTIER than the Egyptians. He recognized that they were a threat and in the event of war they could join with the enemy and fight against Egypt. Even worse, they might leave! So Pharaoh decided the way to deal with them was to put them to work, keep them so busy that they don’t realize the potential that they have to overtake. The Egyptians were even in “dread” of the children of Israel! However as long as they could keep the Israelites intimidated and distracted, they could continue to control them.

In Canada, Christians make up about 9% of the population. As “special interest groups” go, that is a high percentage. When you consider that just 2% of a population has the ability to change a nation in the course of about twenty years, if our 9% mobilized for the cause of Jesus, we would have a significant impact. Couple that with the fact that we have the Spirit of God in us, and you have to admit that we are a formidable force, bound for victory against the attempts of the enemy to keep us down.

The devil has noticed that we are “more and mightier” than him too, and he and his troops are in dread of us. However he too has recognized that if he can just lay heavy burdens on us, keep us distracted and very busy, we will not notice, that we in fact, do have the upper hand and the ability to dominate and overtake. As long as we allow the cares of this world and the burdens of everyday life to keep us distracted from the reality of who we are and what we have in Christ, Satan can continue to keep us and those around us in slavery and captivity.

It is time for us to lift up our heads and recognize the deception that keeps us from being all that we are meant to be. We need to begin to fully engage as a mighty people, exercising the authority we have over the enemy that was won for us at the cross. It is time to stand together in this great Kingdom work of taking back all that the enemy has stolen and see the people of this and other nations come to know the one who loves them.

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4, NKJV).

“But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57, NKJV).

Questions: What is keeping you from being all that you are meant to be? How does the enemy keep us from doing Kingdom work?

Some time ago I read a statement that said if 2% of a nation would get organized around an ideology, it is possible for them to change their society within twenty years. My first thought was “that’s a little pie in the sky!” However I very quickly realized that in Canada we have witnessed the homosexual community take our nation from one that kept this lifestyle hidden to one that is openly discussing their right to marry. This change came in around twenty years.

From the very start God gave Adam authority on the earth, Adam gave that authority to the devil when he ate from the tree of good and evil, and Jesus took that authority back for us when he died on the cross. That very day the enemy became a defeated foe, and in Christ our dominion on the earth as the children of God was restored to us. We are to be the head and not the tail, to be above and not beneath, we are more than conquerors, and He always leads us in triumph (Deut. 28:13, Rom. 8:37, 2 Cor. 2:14).

So why is it that here in Canada Christianity is looked down on, and we seem so powerless in the face of the moral slide that plagues our nation? Is it because we lack the power to impact change, or is it perhaps that we lack the understanding of who we are, what we have, and how to use it, to exercise our authority and experience the victory that is already ours in Christ?

Nobody likes loosing, but loosing to one who has already been defeated makes no sense at all. Let’s commit this year to growing in understanding the authority that God has given us and learning how to use that authority in prayer for the sake of the promised victory for our families, our cities, and our nation.

Christians constitute more that 2% of our national population and in Christ we have everything we need to go forward confidently and expect to impact change in Canada through prayer.

“Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of yourfathers has spoken to you: do not fear or be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 1:21 NKJV)

In 1976, Campus Crusade expanded its outreach to young families with the creation of Family Ministry, which focused on providing pre-marriage seminars to its staff members. Co-founders of the new organization included Dennis and Barbara Rainey, Don and Sally Meredith, and Mick and Hellen Yoder.

From this simple beginning, Family Ministry grew and transformed. Married staff members saw the value in the work and asked for seminars on marriage. In 1978, in response to demand from community leaders, pastors and couples throughout the country, Family Ministry (now known as FamilyLife) opened its pre-marriage and marriage conferences to the public. We have been offering these tools for change ever since.

Soon, community leaders and pastors found out about the seminars, and they expressed that it was exactly what every couple needs – the blueprints on how to build a strong home. Family Ministry, now FamilyLife, opened the Weekend to Remember to the public in 1978.

Ten years later, in 1988, Campus Crusade Canada (since renamed Power to Change) began hosting conferences. With humble beginning in Edmonton, AB using video tapes of the US conferences, the events spread across Canada. Eventually the videos were replaced by live speaker couples. Twenty years later, tens of thousands of couples have attended FamilyLife Conferences in various locations across the nation.

The ministry of FamilyLife is not limited to weekend conferences. We now offer a variety of one-day conferences, including A Day Together and our Parenting Event – Legacy: Your 21^st Century Parenting Game Plan.

FamilyLife Canada, a division of Power to Change, is headquartered in Langley, BC.

Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, once told of leaving his wife waiting in the car after church — for nearly three hours — while he answered a young man’s spiritual questions. When he finally made it to the car, Bill was so excited to share his experience that he didn’t even realize he had neglected his wife.

Can you relate?

We know that as a pastor, you spend countless hours counseling, guiding, improving, and helping resolve issues in other people’s marriages – but what about your own? FamilyLife wants to help.

If you serve as a full-time pastor in a local church, we would like to offer you and your spouse a discounted rate to attend a Weekend to Remember marriage getaway.

All pastors currently serving a congregation may attend the conference at a reduced couple’s rate of just $99. Simply register online for the conference of your choice.

$99 per couple – This is our way of saying thanks for the work you do.

** This offer does not include hotel room or meals.

Your gift could be the catalyst for one of the most significant turning points in a couple’s life together. Help someone you love discover the principles that make marriage work.

Buy one conference registration for $299, or purchase 5 at the low group rate of $199 each ($995 total). The group pack makes great gifts for family members or employees.  The best part? If you purchase 5 registrations, we’ll give you one absolutely free to use for yourself – or to give away!

Weekend to Remember® Gift Certificate

Registration for: 2 people/1 couple
Price: $299.00

The Weekend to Remember® Gift Certificate covers the registration costs for one couple (2 people). Each certificate comes in an beautiful presentation folder  – perfect for gift giving along with a Weekend to Remember brochure to help the recipient locate a conference near them. Presentation folders are available in colors red or orange.

ORDER NOW or call 1-800-247-3180.

Two to three weeks before the conference weekend:

• Make child-care arrangements (if applicable).
• Plan for comfortable clothes, as you will be sitting for long periods of time.
• Bring a sweater or jacket (for cold ballrooms or inclement weather).
• Pack dressy clothes for Date Night.
• Make dinner reservations or plans for Date Night on Saturday.

Before Saturday night talk about what a date night at the conference looks like to you? Does it have to be romantic? If so, what does romantic look like to you?

Does it include:

• Going for a walk /hike
• Dinner out
• Playing a game
• Going through projects in the manual
• Going to the fitness centre
• Physical activity of some kind
• Getting spa treatments together
• Doing something that’s out of the regular routine such as…

________________________________

________________________________

• Sex
• Photos of you together in different locations
• Read to each other
• Going to the pool and hot tub

One week before the conference weekend:

• Set goals as to what you would like to accomplish during the weekend (such as “establish better communication in our marriage.”)
• Pray for God’s favor on your time during the conference.

Day before the start of conference weekend (Thursday)

• Find copy of hotel reservation confirmation numbers for check-in on Friday night.
• Print out of directions to the hotel and/or restaurants in area.
• Get cash for coffee, drinks, and snacks during breaks.

First day of conference weekend (Friday):

• Bring reservation numbers and directions.
• Dress comfortably.
• Try not to argue with your spouse on the way to the conference.
• Start the conference with an open, willing spirit.

Please Note: You are responsible for making your hotel reservations.

When you make your reservation, mention that you are attending FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember to receive the discounted room rate. Discount rates are subject to room availability.

Children: To keep your weekend free of distractions and as a courtesy to other guests, we do not allow children (or babies) in our sessions. Child care is not provided.

Bahamas Cruise
February 13-17, 2012

Love Like You Mean It Cruise presented by
Premier Christian Cruises and FamilyLife USA
(Miami, FL to Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, & Great Stirrup Cay)
Hosted by Dennis & Barbara Rainey with many special guests
Room Rate: $649 USD* + up
*For more rates and room availability – CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE for website

To REGISTER call 1-800-889-5265

 

 

For United States dates and locations

Each conference is presented by a combination of three speakers from our speaker team: one married couple (husband and wife) and one husband from another married couple. With more than 10 speaker couples, the actual speakers vary for each event.

Read more information about FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember speaker couples, select a couple below:

Del & Lori Fletcher
Keith & Sheila Gregoire
Paul & Eleanor Henderson
Greg & Wendy Jones
Neil & Sharol Josephson
Dave & Rushia Klassen
Phyllis & Milton Koop
Greg & Shelley Leith
Fay Chao & Robert Li
Walt & Anne Moodie
Phil & Lorry Taylor

At FamilyLife, we realized there was a clear need to define God’s principles for the family so we created The Family Manifesto to provide families with a declaration of values. This document supports our conviction that the family is the backbone of the Christian church and of society as a whole, and we must uphold, strengthen, and continue to build upon the biblical institutions of marriage and family.

Our source for inspiration? As always, the Bible. The Family Manifesto provides a scripture-based blueprint for building a godly home. Please remember, this is not intended to be a comprehensive doctrinal statement about what the Bible says about marriage, family, and related subjects. But, with The Family Manifesto, you’ll discover timeless values that provide clear direction – and hope – for our future.

FAMILY

We believe God is the originator of the family. It was established by God in His inaugural act of the marriage between a man and a woman. The Bible further defines the family through God’s instruction for married couples to have children, whether by birth or adoption. We believe the purpose of the family is to glorify and honor God by forming the spiritual, emotional, physical, and economic foundation for individuals, the church, and any society.

It is at home that children see manhood and womanhood modeled. It is at home that moral values are taught by parents and placed into the hearts of their children. It is at home that people see the reality of a relationship with Jesus Christ modeled. It is at home that people learn to live out their convictions. Therefore, we are committed to upholding the concept of family as God’s original and primary means of producing a godly offspring and passing on godly values from generation to generation. (Ephesians 3:14,15; Genesis 1:26-28; Romans 8:15,23; John 1:12; Galatians 3:29; Psalm 78:5-7; Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

MARRIAGE

We believe God, not man, created marriage. We believe marriage was the first institution designed by God. We believe the Bible teaches that the covenant of marriage is sacred and lifelong. The Bible makes it clear that marriage is a legally binding public declaration of commitment and a private consummation between one man and one woman, never between the same sex. Therefore, we believe God gives a wife to a husband and a husband to a wife, and they are to receive one another as God’s unique and personal provision to help meet their mutual needs.

We believe God created marriage for the purpose of couples glorifying God as one flesh, parenting godly children, and enjoying sexual pleasure. As iron sharpens iron, we believe God uses marriage to sharpen a man and a woman into the image of Jesus Christ. Just as the Trinity reflects equal worth with differing roles, we believe God created a man and a woman with equal worth but with differing roles and responsibilities in marriage.

Finally, we declare the marriage commitment must be upheld in our culture as that sacred institution of God in which men and women can experience the truest sense of spiritual, emotional, and physical intimacy, so that the two can become one. (Genesis 2:18-25; Ephesians 5:30-32; I Corinthians 7:3; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; Proverbs 27:17; Romans 1:26-27, 8:29; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Deuteronomy 24:5; Song of Solomon)

DIVORCE

We believe God hates divorce. We believe divorce brings harm to every person involved. Therefore, reconciliation of a marriage should be encouraged and divorce discouraged. We also believe that God allows for divorce in certain situations, not because He wills it, but because of the hardness of people’s hearts. We believe the Bible teaches that God allows for divorce in the case of adultery and in the case where an unbelieving spouse has chosen to abandon the commitment of marriage.

We believe, however, that it is God’s priority that marital oneness be restored and that, through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, forgiveness and reconciliation be experienced. We believe that in the unfortunate case of abuse and abandonment, God has provided protection for an abused spouse and provision for child support through the church, civil law, godly counselors, prayer, and other practical measures. We believe God can restore broken people and broken marriages by His grace, by the power of His Spirit, and by His practical truths found in the Bible. (Malachi 2:16; Matthew 19:3-9; Matthew 5:31-32; Mark 10:6-12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:1-3; Romans 13:1-5; I Corinthians 7:15)

ROLE OF HUSBANDS

We believe God has charged each husband to fulfill the responsibility of being the “head” (servant leader) of his wife. We believe God created a man incomplete, and as a husband, he needs his wife as his helper. We believe a husband will give account before God for how he has loved, served, and provided for his wife. We reject the notion that a husband is to dominate his wife. Likewise, we reject the notion that

a husband is to abdicate his responsibilities to lead his wife. Rather, we believe his responsibility is to love his wife. This love is characterized by taking the initiative to serve her, care for her, and honor her as a gift from God. We believe his responsibility is to protect his wife and help provide for her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

We also believe a husband is to seek after and highly regard his wife’s opinion and counsel and treat her as the equal partner she is in Christ. Therefore, we are committed to exhort and implore men not to abuse their God-given responsibilities as husbands, but rather to initiate a sacrificial love for their wives, in the same way Jesus Christ initiated sacrificial love and demonstrated it fully on the cross. (Genesis 2:18-25; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:19; I Peter 3:7; I Timothy 5:8)

ROLE OF WIVES

We believe God has charged each wife to fulfill the responsibility of being her husband’s “helper”. We believe a wife will give account to God for how she has loved, respected, and given support to her husband. We uphold the biblical truth that she is of equal value with her husband before God. We reject the notion that a wife should assume the leadership responsibilities of her husband. Likewise, we reject the notion that a wife should passively defer to the dominance of her husband. We believe that her responsibility is to willingly and intelligently affirm, respect, and submit to her husband as the leader in the relationship and in his vocational calling.

Therefore, we are committed to exhorting a wife to be in support of her husband by accepting and excelling in her responsibility as his helper. (Genesis 2:18-25; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18; I Peter 3:1­6; Proverbs 31:10-12)

SEXUAL UNION

We believe the Bible clearly states that marriage is the only context for sexual intimacy. We believe contemporary culture is pressing single people to engage prematurely in acts that are intended only for the context of marriage. Our culture has rejected God’s plan for intimacy by promoting sexual promiscuity of various kinds and, as a consequence, has brought upon itself sexual diseases and relational dysfunctions. We believe in sexual purity and fidelity.

Therefore, we are committed to training parents to teach their children at an early age to respect their sexuality and to preserve their virginity and purity until marriage. We are committed to communicating the message to teenagers, single adults, and married couples that sexual intimacy is available only in the context of marriage. (Genesis 1:24-25; Romans 1:24-27; I Thessalonians 4:3-8)

PARENTING CHILDREN

We believe children are the gifts of God and should be received and treated as such. We believe a child’s life begins at conception. We believe children have a special responsibility to God in obeying and honoring their parents. We believe a child’s identity and spiritual growth is either helped or hindered by his parent’s devotion to God, to one another, and to him. Parents should see themselves as God’s ambassadors, working to build strong character in the lives of their children through consistent godly living, nurturing, discipline, and teaching them right from wrong. We are committed to God’s plan for passing His love down through the ages by encouraging parents to love their children “so the generations to come might know” the love and forgiveness of Christ. (Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20; Psalms 78:5-8, 127:3-6, 139:13-16; Proverbs 4:1, 6:20; Job 3:3)

ROLE OF FATHERS

We believe God has charged a father to execute the responsibilities of a family leader. He is accountable before God to lead his family by sacrificially loving his wife and children and by providing for their physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. We believe the greatest way a father can love his children is to love their mother. We believe children gain much of their concept of God from their fathers. We believe a father should teach his children, by instruction and example, truth from the Bible and how to apply it practically in daily life. Therefore, a father should spend a quantity of time, as well as quality time, with each child.

We believe a father should demonstrate godly character revealed in humility, tenderness, and patience toward his children. We believe a father should demonstrate love by practicing consistent discipline with each child. Therefore, we are committed to turning the hearts of fathers back to their children by emphasizing the importance of their role as “father”. We are committed to exhorting every father to model a love for God and His word, to model love for his wife, and to love his children. (Malachi 4:6; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:20-21; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; I Timothy 3:4-5, 5:8)

ROLE OF MOTHERS

We believe God has uniquely designed women to be mothers. We believe the greatest way a mother can love her children is to love their father. We also believe God has created a woman with an innate and special ability to nurture and care for her children.

Therefore, we believe mothers are the primary people who execute the vital responsibilities of loving, nurturing, and mentoring children. We believe these responsibilities should be met before a mother contemplates any other duties. We believe our culture has devalued the role of a mother by placing greater significance on activities outside the home than on those inside the home.

We realize there are cases where a mother will find it necessary to work outside the home (financial distress, single parenthood); however, we also believe some couples have made career and lifestyle choices that result in de-emphasizing the mother’s role as nurturer. Therefore, we are committed to presenting a biblical framework through which couples can rightly evaluate their priorities in light of a mother’s role. We are committed to elevating motherhood by rightly assessing its exalted value in God’s economy of the family. We are committed to exhorting mothers to model love for God and His Word, to model love for her husband, and to love her children. (Titus 2:4-5; I Thessalonians 2:7; Proverbs 14:1, 31:1-31; Deuteronomy 6:6, 11:19; Ezekiel 16:44-45)

ROLE OF GRANDPARENTS

We believe grandparents are to be honored as valued family members. We believe their wisdom in living should be sought and passed on to their children and their children’s children. We also believe that grandparents have the responsibility of teaching and modeling to their grandchildren how to know Jesus Christ and grow in a relationship with Him as well as passing along biblical principles for godly living. The Old Testament is filled with examples of grandfathers and grandmothers who excelled in their roles of grand parenting.

Therefore, we are committed to giving honor to grandparents by encouraging their children and grandchildren to listen to their voices of wisdom. We are also committed to exhorting grandparents to pray for and become actively involved with children and grandchildren whenever it is possible. (I Timothy 5:4; Genesis 18:18-19; Proverbs 17:6; Psalm 78)

CHILDLESS COUPLES

We believe God has allowed some couples to be without biological children according to His sovereign plan in their lives. We believe couples without children are of no less value before God than those with children. We believe in encouraging childless couples to consider adoption as a family alternative. We are committed to encouraging childless couples to pass on a godly legacy through involvement with children in their immediate families, churches, and communities. (Luke 1:6-7; Romans 8:28-29)

SINGLE PARENTS

We believe that, ideally, a child needs the influence of both a father and mother for healthy development in life and relationships. At the same time, we recognize that God’s grace is sufficient and that He is a father to the fatherless and a husband to the husbandless. We also believe He is a guardian to children without a mother and a friend to a husband who has lost his wife.

We believe God, by His grace, can use the void left from a missing parent to accomplish His eternal purposes of building Christlike character in single parents and their children. We believe a single parent and his or her children are a family and that the Bible contains principles for them to grow as a family.

We believe the local church should be a home for single parents, providing their children with godly people who serve as role models in place of the missing parent.

Therefore, we are committed to exhorting Christians within the local church to creatively help meet the needs associated with single-parent homes. We are committed to comforting and encouraging single-parent families by providing resources and developing biblical principles to assist those who struggle in the role of single parent. (Psalm 68:5-6; I Corinthians 7:32; James 1:27; I Timothy 5:3-16; Romans 8:28-29; Luke 18:3-5)

BLENDED FAMILIES

We believe God has allowed men and women, either by circumstance or by choice, to endure difficult and painful consequences in their marriages and family relationships. We also believe God gives abundant grace to the broken, blended, and single-parent families.

Therefore, we believe He can and does enable them to carry out His functions and principles for healthy family life. We are committed to comforting, encouraging, and teaching these families God’s principles of marriage and family life. (James 1:27; I Timothy 5:16; Philippians 4:13)